Can A Toothpaste Ingredient Protect The Skin?

A common ingredient in toothpastes and mouthwashes was found to speed apoptosis in UVB damaged cells, according to new research presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research. The ingredient, known as sanguinarine, is an alkaloid found in the bloodroot plant, and it has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties. This agent is widely used for gingivitis prevention. In studies, cells pretreated with a low concentration of sanguinarine were exposed to UVB irradiation. Researchers found that the sanguinarine induced a 54% to 72% decrease in cell viability after irradiation. In addition, apoptosis increased 49% to 66% after sanguinarine treatment. Researchers theorize that sanguinarine may be used as a topical chemopreventive agent along with sunscreen. FDA Approvals And News Hylaform Plus Approved For Deep Wrinkle Treatment The first large-particle size hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler in the United States recently received FDA approval. Hylaform Plus, a larger-particle version of the deep wrinkle filler Hylaform gel, received FDA approval for correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Composed of cross-linked molecules of hyaluronan, which is a naturally occurring polysaccharide of the extra-cellular matrix in human tissues, Hylaform Plus is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to avian proteins. In a prospective, double-blind, randomized, multi-center study, patients randomly received Hylaform Plus in one nasolabial fold and Hylaform gel in the other. Patients were injected only once (no touch-ups were allowed) with enough material to achieve the desired correction. Peak treatment was seen after 2 weeks, and on average patients returned to baseline within 12 weeks. The FDA concluded that Hylaform Plus was comparable to Hylaform gel in correcting nasolabial folds at 12 weeks. In addition, no severe adverse events were observed. Hylaform Plus is a product Genzyme Corporation and Inamed Corporation. FDA Approves Evoclin Foam Connectics Corporation received approval from the FDA for Evoclin (clindamycin) Foam, a topical medication indicated for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Representatives from the Connectics Corp. report that the new VersaFoam version of the potent antibiotic clindamycin provides easy application, less residue and a convenient once-a day dosage. Evoclin is not recommended for individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to clindamycin or lincomycin or a history of regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis or antibiotic-associated colitis. Evoclin Foam represents Connectics’ foray into the acne market as well as the fourth commercial brand manufactured by the specialty pharmaceutical company. New Dual Wavelength Laser Cleared The FDA gave 510(k) clearance to Iridex’s new VariLite dual wavelength laser. This laser is cleared for 19 dermatology indications, including treatment of vascular lesions, leg veins, benign pigmented lesions, cutaneous lesions, hair removal and moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris. Offered at wavelengths of 532 nm and 940 nm, the VariLite features ergonomic, dual wavelength handpieces, and the operator can switch between the two wavelengths immediately. Infliximab Approved for Rheumatoid Arthritis Infliximab (Remicade), an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy that is under study for psoriatic arthritis, was granted approval by the FDA to be the first-line therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Previously, patients had to fail to respond to methotrexate, the standard treatment for RA, in order to receive a prescription clearance for infliximab. Studies indicated that early intervention may prohibit complete joint destruction caused by rheumatoid arthritis and using the infliximab regimen showed a marked reduction in rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and signs. The results from the large controlled trial ASPIRE (Active Controlled Study of Patients Receiving Infliximab for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Early Onset) provided evidence that infliximab was a better treatment for RA than the current therapy in terms of changing the course of the disease. In other news with infliximab, Centocor, the drug’s manufacturer, released other recent findings through their announcement that patients who were treated with infliximab for rheumatoid arthritis during clinical trials showed an increased incidence of lymphoma at three times the rate of the general public. FDA has recommended a warning concerning malignancy be added to the labeling for all therapeutic agents that block TNF. Experts claim that such toxic results are rare and that the medication worked better overall with fewer occurrences of nausea and fatigue. Other FDA Drug News Lawmakers Argue to Track Accutane — The concern over the potentially dangerous effects of the popular medication Accutane on children gained momentum when lawmakers submitted a written plea to Health and Human Services to impose a mandatory national registry of all health workers and drug stores that prescribe and dispense Accutane. The pressure on the FDA was sparked by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Michigan, whose son committed suicide while taking Accutane and three other lawmakers, who firmly believe that the occurrences of psychiatric events associated with Accutane should be documented and tracked and that the drug’s off label prescriptions be curbed. Levulan PDT Enters Phase II in Clinical Trial for Acne — Independent investigator studies concluded that applying Levulan Kerastick for fifteen minutes over the face, followed by a light treatment of DUSA’s BLU-U for six minutes, improved acne without pain, inflammation or hyperpigmentation. DUSA has decided to conduct their own study examining the safety and efficacy of combining these drugs for the treatment of moderate to severe facial acne vulgaris. Connectics Corporation Begins Stage III for Atopic Dermatitis Treatment — Connectics Corporation announced that their product Desilux, a low potency topical steroid, enters Phase III clinical trials to study the drug’s efficacy in the company’s emollient foam delivery vehicle. The clinical study will concentrate on atopic dermatitis and contain a pediatric indication. Connectics hopes to submit a new drug application for Desilux by the end of 2005. Amevive Approved in Canada — Health Canada cleared the product Amevive, a biologic therapy for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis, for sale and distribution in Canada. The product, manufactured by Biogen Idec, was the first biologic therapy for psoriasis to receive approval in the United States and now the first in Canada.